childhood days
drifting by in a miasma
of new experiences, stuff learnt
a world explored with bold or timid wonder
secure in family, hopefully, friends made
then school, later college, maybe uni
and an ever expanding world of work
holidays, personal relationships
and still the days drift by
with that almost invincible certainty
that even the troubling bits, break-ups
a job lost, illness can all be overcome
twenties turn to thirties, some are shocked
others take it in their stride
rent, maybe mortgage, even children
responsibility at home and work
the pressures crowding in
thirties replaced by forties
forties by fifties

life flying by
slipping through fingers
more grey hairs to hide or ignore
where have all the days, the years gone
what was once easy now less so
intimations of mortality
some untimely deaths
among family and friends
and those discomforting questions
nagging at the subconscious
what has been the purpose?
what does it all mean?
what has been of real value?
in this life? the eternal perspective?
and underneath, most disconcerting
how long have I got?
fifties hopefully to sixties
seventies and ...... ?
'so teach us to number our days
that we may apply our hearts to wisdom' 


Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Lent
2nd April 2025
following Psalm 90.12